The Top City Step Team is a community group for high school students throughout Topeka to be involved in a safe and inclusive space where they can express themselves freely and gain life skills, friendships and confidence while experiencing the culture and authenticity of what stepping is and has been.

The Top City Step Team also strives to incorporate the mission of the YWCA by upholding their values and beliefs, and supporting their mission to be agents of change.

Coach Tonyce was born and raised in Topeka Kansas, and graduated from Washburn University in 2022. She has plans to begin studying at the Washburn University School of Law.  In addition to volunteering as the Top City Step Team coach, Tonyce works full time at the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office doing dispatch. During her time on the team, she was provided a comfortable sense of community and built many friendships. Her vision is for the Step team to continue growing and providing this community for more students.

 

Patrice was born and raised in Topeka, and graduated from Emporia tate University in 2018 where she studied sociology, counseling, and rehabilitation. She currently works at the Kansas Children’s Service League, providing support to youth involved in the juvenile justice system. She was motivated to become a Top City Step Team coach because of her commitment to offering a safe space for youth in a world full of chaos.

The Top City Step Team practices regularly at YWCA Northeast Kansas. Each member of the YWCA Step Team is responsible for basic supply costs, with some scholarships available:

• Shirts : $20
• Pants : $35
• Shoes : $60

What is Step?

Step dancing has a long history in the African and Black community, an art form using different rhythms and stomps to express musicality. Over the past century, Step gained in popularity through collegiate competition and performance (especially historically Black fraternities and sororities), as well as BET Network shows and feature films with Step teams. Check out this article on Essence.com to learn more.